Ecological connectivity and wildlife corridors are often considered for terrestrial wildlife, but in many places in Canada it is our aquatic ecosystems that are most impacted by habitat fragmentation. Migratory fishes that depend on access to spawning and nursery habitats are often impeded by dams and other obstructions, including road-stream crossings. These barriers can compromise stock and species diversity, result in losses of annual recruitment and reduced production and harvests. Fragmentation of aquatic habitat connectivity can also impact nutrient flows, riparian processes and spread invasive species. Fortunately there are many actions that can help us to better understand and improve aquatic habitat connectivity. Using examples from the Great Lakes basin and case studies from the Nature Conservancy of Canada, Dan will explore some of the approaches to mapping and prioritizing barrier removal and the challenges and opportunities of reconnecting aquatic habitats.

The Natural Resources & Environmental Studies Institute (NRESi) at UNBC hosts a weekly lecture series at the Prince George campus. Anyone from the university or wider community with interest in the topic area is welcome to attend. Presentations are also made available to remote participants through LiveStream. Go to http://www.unbc.ca/nres-institute/colloquium-webcasts to view the presentation remotely.

Past NRESi colloquium presentations and special lectures can be viewed on our video archive, available here.

This event is funded by the Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program (FWCP). The FWCP is a partnership between BC Hydro, Fisheries & Oceans Canada, First Nations, Public Stakeholders and the Province of BC, to conserve and enhance fish and wildlife in watersheds impacted by existing BC Hydro dams.